Notes on Stones
& Acquiring Well
Observations and the occasional opinion, written for collectors and the curious.
The case for natural rubies in 2026
Why the finest untreated rubies remain among the rarest objects money can buy — and how to recognise one.
How to read a GIA certificate — what actually matters
Carat and colour are only the beginning. A short guide to the lines on the report that move value.
What a “Kashmir” sapphire really means
Origin is a story collectors pay for. Here is what the word signifies, and why labs are careful with it.
Lab-grown vs natural: an honest comparison
No drama, no salesmanship. The real differences in provenance, value, and what you are actually buying.
Bespoke commissions — what to expect, end to end
From a first conversation to a finished piece, the steps of a commission and the time each one takes.
Buying fine jewellery in Hong Kong
Notes on the market, the city, and why so much of the world’s finest stock passes through Central.
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A Note Now and Then
Occasional letters on new acquisitions and notes from the atelier. No noise — only what is worth your attention.